Find fun and free or low-cost things to do with kids in Fairfield County, CT, this August, including family-friendly concerts in Norwalk, Stratford, Stamford, and Westport; free Shakespeare in Ridgefield; and nature programs in Bridgeport and Greenwich.

Aug. 4

Summery Celebration

Plan to bring a picnic dinner to the Nature-Palooza Family Concert at the New Canaan Nature Center, where kids can boogie to the music with hula hoops, explore the property, play games, and cool off with sprinklers and popsicles.

Aug. 10

S’mores, Please!

Learn why those classic campfire treats are so delicious by making a few of your own when the Stamford Museum and Nature Center celebrates National S’mores Day.

Aug. 11

Beardsley Bears

Children can bring their favorite plush pals to Teddy Bear Fest at the Beardsley Zoo and enjoy bear-themed facts, crafts, and storytelling. Children younger than 12 (and accompanied by a paying adult) receive FREE admission when they bring their bears to the “Teddy Bear Clinic” for a check-up.

Aug. 11

Romeo on the House

Enjoy the outdoors and a matinee performance of Romeo and Juliet performed by The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival at Shakespeare on the Green in Ridgefield. FREE!

Aug. 15

Imitation Crab

Horseshoe crabs are a common sight on the beach, but you may not know much about them. For example: They are not true crabs. Learn more at this month’s Look and See for Young Museum Visitors at the Bruce Museum. The program includes hands-on experiences, crafts, stories, and more, which will introduce children ages 3-5 to these curious arthropods. Call the museum for reservations.

Aug. 19

Backyard Biology

Join the staff of the Greenwich Audubon Society for a Family Pond Exploration, when you can get up close with the tiny creatures that call the pond home.

Through Aug. 23

Diverse Dwellings

The works of 35 artists are displayed in Faraway Places,a multimedia exhibit depicting real and imaginary spots on view at the Stamford Art Association Townhouse Gallery.

Throughout August

Summer Family Concerts in Fairfield

Nothing is more indicative of summer than a great tune. This month, check out a few lively local concerts (many of which are FREE!) that will keep you humming through August (and possibly into September!): See our roundup here.

Daily throughout August

Gotcha!

You may know who your next door neighbor is, but what about the creatures that swim in the Long Island Sound with you? Take a Marine Life Study Cruise on the research vessel Oceanic, where educators from The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk not only lead discussions on who lives in the Sound but put participants to work collecting and examining animals from all levels of the water column. Get a closer look at plankton, crabs, worms, fish, and other creatures brought up in the trawl net. Recommended for ages 8 and older.